Berlin Senator Condemns Threats Against Canceled Black Community Swim Event
Stefan Evers, the Senator for Culture in Berlin and CDU's leading candidate for the upcoming election on September 20, denounced the racist backlash and threats that resulted in the cancellation of a swimming event for Black individuals at the Volksbühne theater, which was set to take place today. The event, organized by Each One Teach One (Eoto) and the Volksbühne, was scrapped due to concerns for safety following severe online hostility. Evers remarked that "death threats against an art project are as unacceptable as the threat of critical voices." The decision to cancel the event, intended to create a safe environment for Black community members, particularly children, drew criticism from the Left and Green parties, with Elif Eralp and Werner Graf expressing their disapproval.
Key facts
- Stefan Evers is Berlin's Senator for Culture and CDU top candidate for the Berlin election on September 20.
- The swimming event was organized by the Volksbühne and the association Each One Teach One (Eoto).
- The event was scheduled for today but canceled due to safety concerns after threats and racist discussions.
- The event was intended for Black community members, especially children and youth, to swim in the temporary Volksbad pool.
- Evers condemned the threats and emphasized that art must be allowed to provoke and debate.
- Left top candidate Elif Eralp and Green top candidate Werner Graf criticized the cancellation.
- Eralp said the cancellation shows how hatred and incitement are spreading.
- Graf called the cancellation a 'scandal'.
Entities
Institutions
- Volksbühne
- Each One Teach One (Eoto)
- CDU
- Tagesspiegel
- Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany